Tasmania, known for its breathtaking landscapes and pristine camping sites, is facing a unique challenge known as ‘ghost camping.’ This phenomenon involves campers reserving spots by setting up tents or caravans in advance and leaving them unoccupied until their actual camping dates.

The competition for securing the best camping spots in Tasmania is fierce, with popular campgrounds often filling up quickly. Ghost camping has been a persistent issue at holiday hotspots, where unoccupied tents and vans occupy sites, depriving other campers of the opportunity to enjoy these picturesque locations.

To address this problem, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) is gearing up to launch a new online booking system. This system aims to streamline the reservation process and manage ghost camping more effectively across the state. While pre-booking camping sites is currently uncommon in Tasmania, the introduction of this system could mark a significant shift in how campers secure their spots.

Some campers have expressed concerns about ghost bookings, where multiple sites are booked but left unoccupied, leading to fully booked campgrounds with empty spots in reality. This issue has been observed in other states as well, prompting authorities to introduce measures such as fines and reminders to deter such practices.

While solutions like fines have been implemented in states like Queensland and New South Wales, Tasmania is now exploring the potential of a booking system to regulate camping and discourage ghost camping. However, there is a cautious approach being advocated to ensure that any new regulations do not hinder the appeal of camping tourism in the state.

As Tasmania looks to address the ‘ghost camping’ challenge, the balance between preserving the camping culture and preventing misuse of camping sites remains a key consideration. With the upcoming online booking system, the state aims to strike a balance that ensures fair access to camping sites while maintaining the unique charm of camping in Tasmania’s picturesque locations.